A COLLEGE BREAKFAST-PARTY. 409
In lasting failure of the search elsewhere
For what it holds to satisfy man's need.
But I grow lengthy : my excuse must be
Your question. Hamlet, which has probed right through
To the pith of our belief. And I have robbed
3[yself of pleasure as a listener.
'T is noon. I see : and my appointment stands
For half-past twelve with Voltimand. Good-by."
Brief parting, brief regret — sincere, but quenched
In fumes of best Havana, which consoles
For lack of other certitude. Then said,
Mildly sarcastic, quiet Guildenstern :
'- 1 marvel how the Father gave new charm
To weak conclusions : I was half convinced
The poorest reasoner made the finest man.
And held his logic lovelier for its limp."
'• I fain would hear," said Hamlet, •• how you find
A stronger footing than the Father gave.
How base your self-resistance save on faith
In some invisible Order, higher Eight
Than changing impulse. What does Eeason bid ?
To take as fullest rationality
"What offers best solution : so the Church.
Science, detecting hydrogen aflame
Outside our firmament, leaves mystery
Whole and untouched beyond ; nay. in our blood
And in the potent atoms of each germ
The Secret lives — envelops, penetrates
Whatever sense perceives or thought divines.
Science, whose soul is explanation, halts
With hostile front at mystery. The Church
Takes mystery a5 her empire, brings its wealth
Of possibility to fiU the void
